It’s been two years since Bill Walton’s passing, but the basketball world is still finding new ways to honor him.
On Wednesday, the San Diego State men’s basketball team and Sports San Diego announced the creation of the “Bill Walton Classic,” a hoops showcase that’ll pay homage to the two-time NBA champion.
The event, which will be held in November at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, will be a college basketball doubleheader. The first matchup will feature UC San Diego and University of San Diego women’s teams. The second will be the SDSU men’s team vs. a to-be-determined opponent.
“Bill Walton was such a San Diego icon,” Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher said, “and with Chris Walton having played for the Aztecs, this event is really a family affair for us. We could not be prouder to be invited to honor Bill by competing in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic.”
On Wednesday, the San Diego State men’s basketball team and Sports San Diego announced the creation of the “Bill Walton Classic,” a hoops showcase that’ll pay homage to the two-time NBA champion. Getty ImagesBill Walton was born in La Mesa, Calif. NBAE via Getty Images
Walton was born in La Mesa and later played for Helix High School, where he won multiple San Diego Section championships.
He went on to attend UCLA, before he was taken by the Trailblazers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft.
Walton was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
“The Bill Walton Classic is meant to lift up our three Division I basketball programs, unite San Diego’s basketball community under one roof for an extraordinary evening, and pay tribute to a true San Diego legend and Hall of Famer — Bill Walton,” Sports San Diego CEO Mark Neville said Wednesday. “Nights like this remind us of what’s possible when this city comes together around the game.”
The event will take place on Nov. 6 — the day after Walton’s birthday.
After both Game 1 and Game 2 reached clutch time, the only playoff series to induce such a stressor in both opening games, everyone should expect the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves to throw haymakers in every remaining game of this series.
Haymakers require superstars to show up in every way. This Nuggets vs. Timberwolves same-game parlay trusts Anthony Edwards to continue to fill the stat sheet in Game 3 on Thursday, April 23.
For more NBA picks, check out my complete Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions.
Our best Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP for Game 3
Whether Anthony Edwards finds his shot or not, he can be trusted to continue to crash the glass. Edwards is just 5 of 20 from beyond the arc in this series, a direct reflection of the pained knee that cost him much of the last month of the regular season.
Whether it is rust or pain, Edwards’s shot is not in rhythm.
He's still playing plenty aggressively, though, grabbing 19 rebounds in the first two games of this series. Edwards has always stuffed the stat sheet in the postseason.
Counting the two games of these playoffs, he's now found at least six rebounds in 24 of his last 33 playoff games.
Ant's shot is not the only one in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ lineup impacted by a pained knee. Jaden McDaniels has gone 1-for-15 from beyond the arc in his last four games.
Yet he may get some added defensive focus in Game 3, given his pointed comments on every bad defender on the Denver Nuggets’ roster, also known as every player on the Nuggets’ roster in McDaniels’s opinion.
Less Edwards from beyond the arc and less McDaniels from beyond the arc should lead to only more Donte DiVincenzo from beyond the arc, particularly after going 4-for-7 from deep in Game 2 as he scored 16 points.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
After losing the first two games in Pittsburgh, the Penguins will head to Philadelphia for a pivotal game three. It's basically a must-win for the Penguins because if they fall down 3-0 in the series, it's virtually over. There's a reason why only four teams in NHL history have ever come back from that deficit.
The Penguins have scored only two goals in this series, largely because the Flyers are so good at defending the neutral zone and their own zone. They're shutting down the passing lanes and taking away a lot of the Penguins' shooting lanes. They've also done a great job of keeping the Penguins to the outside, preventing them from reaching the high-danger areas.
In light of all of that, the Penguins are tweaking their lines for Wednesday's game, looking for a spark offensively.
Here's what the projected lineup looks like:
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Malkin-Novak-Mantha
Chinakhov-Kindel-Brazeau
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Girard-Letang
Shea-Clifton
Stuart Skinner will start in goal after another great game on Monday.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Penguins head coach Dan Muse hopes these changes will lead to more goals.
It's also time for the Penguins to play with a lead. They have yet to do that in this series, and it's costing them. If they can get a lead, it could force the Flyers to open up a little bit, which could play into the Penguins' hands.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
Juan Soto | (Photo by Evan Yu/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Mets have officially reinstated Juan Soto from the injured list, and he’ll serve as designated hitter and bat second tonight as the Mets face Twins left-handed pitcher Connor Prielipp.
In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse. The team had previously been carrying three catchers—Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens, and Senger—but will proceed with two.
Since Soto exited early from an April 3 game against San Francisco with a right calf strain, the Mets have gone 4-12, with all dozen losses coming as part of an ongoing 12-game losing streak. Over the course of those twelve games, the Mets have scored just 22 runs, and the team’s 75 runs scored on the season rank last in baseball. In other words, they’re certainly hoping Soto, who was batting .355 with a .928 OPS in eight games before getting hurt, can pick up right where he left off.
Senger, meanwhile, didn’t get any in-game action during his few days on the active roster after being recalled on Saturday. He will join a Syracuse lineup that is currently seeing far better times than the major league squad.
The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves have now met three times in the last four postseasons, and Minnesota’s Game 2 upset made it clear this series should be every bit as intriguing and chaotic as the previous two.
My Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks anticipate a tense Game 3 on Thursday, April 23, but that tension underscores one player’s postseason habits.
Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, with the game airing on Prime Video.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction
Who will win Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3?
Nuggets: For every instinct there is to embrace the Timberwolves with a raucous crowd backing them, anyone who has paid attention to Minnesota this season — and, honestly, the last few seasons — knows it tends to get too full of itself when the headlines heap praise.
The Timberwolves came back from 19 points down in Game 2 and held on convincingly in the final minutes. The praise is deserved.
But no one should be shocked if Minnesota now offers an absolute letdown, something Denver will gladly take advantage of.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds (-120)
Game 2 shifted when Anthony Edwards stopped relying on his jumpers and began driving into the paint. His knee is clearly in pain, but the greater issue may simply be that the Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar is a bit rusty after missing all but three games in the season’s final month.
He went 5-of-20 from deep in the first two games of this series, and no one is foolish enough to give much credit for that to the Denver Nuggets’ defense. Edwards is simply not shooting well right now.
But he is playing thoroughly, as he always does in the postseason. He grabbed nine rebounds in Game 1 and then 10 in Game 2, fitting a long-time playoffs pattern.
As the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two springs, Edwards crashed the glass more and more aggressively. Two years ago, he averaged 5.4 rebounds per game in the regular season; in the playoffs, that climbed to 7.0 while grabbing at least six boards in 10 of 16 games.
Last year, Edwards averaged 5.7 rebounds per game in the regular season; in the playoffs, that climbed to 7.8 while grabbing at least six rebounds in 12 of 15 games.
No one should be surprised that Edwards is finding the glass in the postseason. Hammer this prop until it reaches 7.0, if not 7.5.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Donte DiVincenzo received Anthony Edwards’s favorite compliment after Game 2. The Covers.comeditorial desk will probably publish that Edwards said DiVincenzo has “gorilla nuts.” Hitting 4-of-7 threes while scoring 16 points certainly earned that praise.
More pertinently, DiVincenzo has excelled with added rest this season. He has played four games on three days' rest, shooting 46.4% from deep in those chances. That may be a small sample size, but 13-of-28 from beyond the arc is rather notable.
The good news for Minnesota is that those shots should take 3-pointers away from Jaden McDaniels, whose deep shooting has fallen off a cliff late this season. He shot 29.5% from beyond the arc in March and then went 1-of-8 in two regular-season games in April. Worse yet, he went 0-of-7 from deep in the first two games of this series.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP
Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds
Donte DiVincenzo Over 11.5 points
Jaden McDaniels Under 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: A rested Jokic
Nikola Jokic found a lot of the front of the rim in Game 2’s second half. Playing 40 minutes in two games in three nights can have that exhausting effect.
But now Jokic has three days to recover, will be playing with more oxygen in the air, and is undoubtedly aggravated that Rudy Gobert got the better of him in Monday’s fourth quarter.
Game 3 should be a Jokic showcase, even if the game’s overall defense drastically improves thanks to the added day between games.
Minnesota has hit the game total Under in 24 of its last 35 games at home (+11.90 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Nuggets vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 17: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners looks on against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at T-Mobile Park on April 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There have been several low moments already in this young season but dropping last night’s game – and therefore the series – to the A’s ranks pretty high up there, for me. After taking back some momentum with a series win against Texas, the Mariners have let that slip through their fingers, again struggling to come up with clutch hits and string together offensive threats, leaving the pitching staff, which has not been perfect, little to no room for error. Logan Gilbert has the task of trying to right the ship today, and while he’s historically been good at playing the role of stopper, this year’s version of Logan Gilbert hasn’t quite looked like his 2023 self.
Lineups:
The A’s are sending Aaron Civale to the mound.
Roster News:
The A’s made a roster move prior to today’s game, moving OF Denzel Clarke (Josh Naylor’s cousin!) to the 10-day IL and selecting OF Colby Thomas from Triple-A Las Vegas.
As a reminder, the Mariners have made a couple of moves this week: first, moving Brendan Donovan to the 10-day IL and calling up INF Will Wilson from Tacoma; and second, calling up RHP Alex Hoppe and DFAing Casey Legumina.
Game Information:
Game time: 1:1o PT
TV: Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryon Healy, and Angie Mentink as field reporter
Radio: Seattle Sports 710, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
The Ducks didn't shy away from the moment in their first playoff game in eight years, going toe-to-toe with the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1. They shrugged off a sluggish first period, erased a two-goal deficit in the second period and had a one-goal lead heading into the third period. However, they conceded two goals in the final frame, including the go-ahead goal with 1:54 remaining.
Troy Terry, who got the Ducks on the board just 19 seconds into the second period, noted during his postgame scrum how little mental mistakes can sway a series in favor of either team.
"(The loss is) hard to swallow," Terry said. "But I'm proud of our group, and I'm excited for the rest of this series. We proved it to ourselves."
Apr 20, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Matt Savoie (22) with center Connor McDavid (97) attempt to stop Anaheim Ducks right winger Troy Terry (19) in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Anaheim did not practice on Tuesday in between games aside from Game 1's scratches getting some light work in. Alex Killorn, John Carlson, Lukáš Dostál and head coach Joel Quenneville addressed the media as part of Anaheim's mandatory media availability for the day.
"I didn't love our start to the game," Killorn said. "I think we kind of maybe dipped our toes in a little bit. A lot of (our) guys haven't played in the playoffs. But what I did like is our resiliency after going down two goals to come back. And that second period was a really great period for us. I liked that. And then once we got the lead, we may have sat back just a little bit. A bunch of things we can learn from, but, overall, pretty good game."
"I think (we can be better in) taking care of the slot area," Dostál, who stopped 30 of 34 shots, said. "Every single team in the playoffs––doesn't matter if it's us, Edmonton or any other team; that's one dangerous area in hockey where you have to take care of it. I felt otherwise (that) we did a pretty good job on the defensive part, but I believe that's something we've just gotta focus on. Same with me, I've gotta make those saves there."
"I think we executed our game plan well on both sides of the ice," Carlson said. "I think we probably played one of our better games with the lead since I've been here as well. It didn't manufacture us anything, but I think (there's) things to build on, to work through and keep getting better (at)."
"I think that we wanted to find out about our guys in the playoffs," Quenneville said. "I thought we showed that we're competitive. I think there's some things we can learn from, and we've got to get better as we go along in the series, anyway. And I think that we look individually and collectively, that there are some positive things. Technically, we can be stronger in areas, but the effort was there. The pace was fine, and we expect to get better in order to win and be successful and that's our challenge. And I think that for a lot of the guys, getting their first exposure was a good sign in what their games (are) and what they bring and the upside to go along with that as well."
Apr 20, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) and Anaheim Ducks center Tim Washe (42) battle for the puck in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Ducks captain Radko Gudas will miss Game 2 with an undisclosed injury. He is day-to-day, per Quenneville. Drew Helleson will draw into the lineup, making his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.
"Drew played some nice games for us down the stretch here," Quenneville said. "Drew's had some good moments for us. He gives us some quickness, some size and that spot with his partner (Tyson Hinds), they played together at some point over the last few years. Just want him to be consistent and be predictable."
"I'm excited to get out there and feel the emotions and the physicality," Helleson said. "(The coaching staff expects me to) just play my game. Defend well. Be hard to play against, make simple plays, just things I've been doing here lately. Hopefully, I can keep that going."
Former Ducks forward Adam Henrique will miss Game 2 after suffering an injury during Game 1. He played just 2:56 after exiting in the first period and did not return to the game. Josh Samanski will draw into the lineup in his place. Jason Dickinson is also a game-time decision, per Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. Curtis Lazar would draw in if Dickinson is unable to play.
While Game 1 may feel like a lost opportunity for Anaheim, they can find solace in the fact that they were able to erase a multi-goal deficit and, momentarily, hold a lead against a hardened Oilers team.
Apr 20, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) and center Mikael Granlund (64) celebrate a goal on the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Terry and Leo Carlsson shined in their playoff debuts, with both having multi-point performances. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard were both kept off the scoresheet for the Oilers, but Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen provided depth scoring with two goals apiece. On the backend, Jake Walman picked up two assists. Anaheim will need their depth to provide the same kind of secondary scoring moving forward.
"We need everybody," Quenneville said. "We're gonna need everybody going forward every game, every shift. We're calling on everybody to get better from the first game. There are some positives we've taken out of that game, but we're gonna need more. Can't be satisfied with that."
"I think our PK did a tremendous job," Mason McTavish said. "That's one of the best power plays ever; they did a great job. Also, shutting down McDavid, that's not easy to do. I thought we did a good job limiting his touches and space. He's a great player. Obviously, he's going to get some chances, but I thought we did a good job eliminating that."
"There should be a lot of credit to Anaheim," Knoblauch said. "They did a great job making it hard for us to get into the zone. Usually, Connor's making those plays. The other night, they were able to get their sticks on pucks. More often than not, he's making those. Tonight, we'll have to see if we have to make some big adjustments."
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville speaks to the media after their morning skate at Rogers Place.
Ducks Projected Lines
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke Mason McTavish - Ryan Poehling - Cutter Gauthier Jeff Viel - Tim Washe - Ian Moore
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson Tyson Hinds - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Oilers Projected Lines
Matt Savoie - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman Vasily Podkolzin - Leon Draisaitl - Kasperi Kapanen Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jason Dickinson - Jack Roslovic Colton Dach - Josh Samanski - Trent Frederic
The Detroit Red Wings are entering a critical offseason after missing the playoffs for a tenth straight year, a finish that has left fans searching for answers about how the organization can finally take a step toward contention next season.
Much of the discussion has centered on captain Dylan Larkin, who played through injuries this season and still produced 67 points in 74 games. The performance has sparked mixed reactions among fans.
Some argue Larkin should be producing more consistently in his role as captain, especially given his history as a point-per-game player in previous seasons. Others point to his two-way impact, leadership, and skating ability as traits that are increasingly rare in today’s NHL, making him an invaluable part of the roster even when not at his offensive peak.
The debate has even stretched into more extreme territory online, with some calling for a change in leadership or even suggesting trade scenarios, despite Larkin being a Michigan native and long-time face of the franchise.
However, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently pushed back strongly on those rumors. Speaking on Sportsnet’s Oilers Now, Friedman dismissed the idea that Detroit would consider moving its captain.
“I’ve had people wonder, would they ever move Dylan Larkin, I think that’s crazy,” Friedman said.
During his end-of-season availability, Larkin called the year “not great” and admitted it was especially frustrating given another missed playoff berth for the Red Wings. He took accountability as captain, noting he needed to do a better job driving play and establishing momentum, particularly at home as they suffered many debilitating losses at Little Caesars Arena to end off the season.
Despite the disappointment, he reaffirmed his commitment to the franchise, stressing his goal of helping lead Detroit back to the playoffs and eventually competing for a Stanley Cup has not waivered.
Larkin just completed his 11th NHL season, sitting at 276 goals and 367 assists for 643 points across 808 games. He continues to climb the franchise’s all-time ranks and remains under contract through 2031, reinforcing the expectation that he will remain a cornerstone of the Red Wings moving forward.
Despite that stability, the narrative around his tenure has grown complicated. Detroit has not reached the playoffs since Larkin’s rookie season, a statistic that continues to follow both player and team as expectations rise.
If Larkin were ever to leave, it would likely be on his own terms, driven by a desire to compete for a Stanley Cup and play in meaningful postseason games more consistently.
Adding to his recent resume, Larkin also represented Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he helped capture a gold medal in what stands as the biggest international achievement of his career to date. That experience is expected to further fuel his desire to compete in high-pressure, playoff-style environments at the NHL level.
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Convenience has been the theme so far in the Pittsburgh Penguins' first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers when it comes to the selection of the third goaltender for games. They recalled Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) goaltender Taylor Gauthier for the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh, since Wheeling is less than two hours from Pittsburgh.
And it appears they continued to roll with that same theme ahead of Game 3 in Philadelphia.
On Wednesday, the Penguins recalled young netminder Sergei Murashov from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins of the AHL, likely to serve as the team's emergency goaltender for Games 3 and 4. WBS is a little more than three hours from Philadelphia, as opposed to Wheeling being more than seven hours.
WBS has already clinched a first-round bye in the Calder Cup Playoffs, and their seeding is locked in.
Murashov, 21, has played in five NHL games this season, going 1-1-2 with an .897 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average. At the AHL level, he is 24-9-3 with a .919 save percentage and a 2.20 goals-against average.
He figures to be the third goaltender behind Stuart Skinner - who has earned his third-straight start - and Arturs Silovs, who was the backup in the Penguins' first two games, both of which they dropped to go down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET, while Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Niagara Falls breadmaker has been roasted after making a special bath of Buffalo "sabre" bread that bore an uncanny resemblance to a penis.
This bread got a rise out of onlookers.
An upstate bakery is getting roasted over the X-rated shape of a special batch of Buffalo Sabres-themed bread that it released in honor of the ongoing Stanley Cup playoffs.
Di Camillo Bakery in Niagara Falls was paying tribute to hometown — or at least hometown-adjacent — hockey team, who are currently tied 1-1 with the Boston Bruins, 7 News WKBW reported.
After initially mulling over making hockey sticks or pucks, the company settled on depicting the team’s logo with a sword-shaped baguette featuring a sesame seed pommel.
Unfortunately, the wholesome local story took a turn into the gutter after many people noticed that the breadstick bore an uncanny resemblance to a penis.
Many social media users clocked the bread’s phallic shape. Facebook/Di Camillo Bakery
“We wanted to do something hockey related,” breadmaker president Matthew Di Camillo innocently said of the playoffs “good luck charm,” confessing that he hoped to make a “lot of them.”
But the creation instead got burned online.
“How did the guy making this keep a straight face?” wondered one critic on Facebook, while another quipped, “I bet it’s made with dill dough.”
“This is our good luck charm for the Sabres playoffs,” said bakery guru Matthew Di Camillo. WKBW
“That’s the bread she says is ‘Just Friends,'” joked a third about the well-endowed wheat sword.
Another prankster wrote, “Use Viagra instead of yeast to get that kinda rise.”
Di Camillo’s magnum opus also got burned on Reddit, with one commenter flatly declaring, “Yeah that’s a penis.”
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson celebrates his goal during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins on April 19 in Buffalo. AP
“That thing’s got a Doaner,” said another, making a play on the name of Buffalo Sabres player Josh Doan.
Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) high-fives forward Paul George (8) after a game against the Boston Celtics in game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers’ surprising Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics was a shot in the arm to fans across the Delaware Valley. Before Tuesday night, everyone was collectively shoveling dirt on the grave of the Sixers’ 2025-26 season, but 48 minutes and one wink from VJ Edgecombe has us believing again that Philadelphia isn’t just a hockey town.
In addition to more ambiguous things like “tried harder” and “fought more,” the biggest reason the Sixers won Game 2 was good old-fashioned shooting variance. Philadelphia shot 19-of-39 (48.7 percent) from three, while Boston shot 13-of-50 (26.0 percent). Those figures were a huge reversal from Game 1, when the Sixers connected on just 4-of-23 (17.4 percent) and the Celtics sank 16-of-44 (36.4 percent). For reference, the Celtics were eighth in the league during the regular season at 36.7 percent and the Sixers were 23rd at 35.3 percent.
So that’s it then? Make or miss league, right? However, the Sixers leaned into a tactical strategy in Game 2. Look at the shot chart for Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined, courtesy of NBA.com Stats.
Look at all of those above-the-break three-point attempts! The starting backcourt took nearly as many shots from that area as the entire team attempted total threes in Game 1. And sure, some of that was Tyrese Maxey showing off some And-1 handles and breaking ankles, but a lot of it was about as simple a basketball play as you can make: take a big man and have him screen for the small man.
Tyrese Maxey making me eat my words, sinks two HUGE triples here in Q4 after struggling for a bit. pic.twitter.com/tHWI97UTQl
Boston’s defense plays drop coverage against high screens, more or less allowing guards to step into looks from the top of the key, rather than give up what are generally considered more efficient shots in the paint or from the short corner. The thing is, though, the Sixers’ offense typically doesn’t generate those more efficient looks. They basically run isos or wait for the shot clock to run down and throw up prayer balls, and I’m generalizing a bit due to a season’s worth of frustration, but anyone would tell you Nick Nurse hasn’t been running a tactical masterclass on that side of the court.
So honestly, run this offense the entire game.
Have Andre Drummond or Adem Bona set a screen up top for Maxey and Edgecombe and tell them to let it fly. Spam the play to death. Be like every 10-year-old video gamer trying to get his Create-A-Player as much action as possible. If they’re not each attempting double-digit threes in each game from here on out, something is wrong. It’s the cleanest path to getting open looks within the offense and, as the underdog, the Sixers should be looking to find ways to increase variance on a nightly basis. There’s no better way to increase variance than by jacking up a bunch of three-pointers. Maybe you actually force the Celtics out of their defensive comfort zone, or maybe you ride the wings of small sample size shooting variance to the promised land (the promised land being the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs).
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Marcus Smart joined the Lakers, the hope was that he could remain healthy and become a defensive anchor for this team. After seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards, he could come to Los Angeles and play better basketball at higher stakes.
Well, he’s done all that and more for the Lakers. He’s been a certified starter, played 62 games for the team and is now a big reason why LA is up 2-0 against Houston in the opening round.
Smart hasn’t just been along for the ride, he’s been driving the Lakers’ car on the path towards another Larry O’Brien trophy.
In Game 2, his defensive aggression disrupted Kevin Durant, forcing him to turn the ball over nine times. Smart was also a certified bucket, scoring 25 points, including five 3-pointers.
After the win, Smart reflected on his NBA journey and relished the fact that he is once again playing games that matter on basketball’s biggest stage.
“I’m very grateful to be doing this,” Smart said. “I thank God every day because I could have been out the league, right? Injuries and things like that. So to be able to be back on this stage making the plays that I’m making with these guys, with this team, this organization, I’m just grateful.”
Smart’s injury history and dip in play in recent years were certainly a reason why he didn’t have as many suitors as a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year typically would have. However, the Lakers believed in his talent and he’s now playing at an elite level.
This might surprise people around the NBA, but it’s not shocking to LeBron James. He’s played against Smart a ton back when he was a Celtic, and James played for the Cavaliers. That amount of court time together, even on opposing sides, let James know how good and impactful Smart can be.
“I mean, he’s battle-tested,” LeBron said. “The guy’s been to the Finals. He’s been in multiple playoff games, big games, in his career. Obviously, he’s not afraid of the moment and he’s always been assigned with some of the best players that’s ever played the game. To have someone like that, it brings a lot of composure to our team as well.”
Smart’s not just a winning player and a vocal leader, he’s been one of the best players during this postseason. He’s averaging three steals per game, which is the third most in the postseason, and along with his scoring in Game 2, his passing was also off the charts.
Smart tied for a team-high seven assists, and his last one led to a dunk from LeBron that put an exclamation point on the victory.
LeBron pretended to tell Marcus Smart to slow it down… and then turned on the JETS for the DAGGER dunk. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZismkiTiFb
Adding Smart to this team has been an incredible move by the Lakers’ front office. It’s why the Lakers have survived without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves and are in a prime position to advance to the second round for the first time since 2023.
Smart’s redemption arc has been a joy for Lakers fans to watch, and if he keeps this up, it’s raising the ceiling of just how far this team can go.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park on April 17, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Having won the first two games of this series against the Seattle Mariners, the first-place Athletics enter this afternoon’s matchup at T-Mobile Park seeking to complete the series sweep and extend their road winning streak to eight games. It’s still early, but a road sweep of the defending division champion would signal that Mark Kotsay’s A’s are not to be taken lightly and are ready to contend in the American League West.
Today, right-hander Aaron Civale takes the mound for the A’s. The 30-year-old right hander is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA through his first four starts with the A’s. He pitched well in his first three starts, all taking place on the road. This past Friday, Civale did not fare as well in his first start at Sutter Health Park. Facing the Chicago White Sox, he allowed 11 hits and five runs over 4 2/3 innings, suffering his first loss of the season. This afternoon presents Civale with a prime opportunity to rebound, as the Seattle Mariners’ offense has struggled and their ballpark is one of the most pitcher-friendly in the league.
Here’s how the A’s lineup behind Civale will look:
Hoping to bring out the brooms, the A’s are running it back with nearly the same lineup as the previous two games. Zack Gelof returns to the bench after making two straight starts in center field. Austin Wynns is behind the plate, while fellow catcher Shea Langeliers serves as the designated hitter as he looks to homer for a third consecutive game. Lawrence Butler shifts to center field after the team placed Denzel Clarke on the injured list this morning. Meanwhile, his replacement, outfielder Colby Thomas, could get some playing time these next few games as he has been swinging a hot bat at Triple-A.
The Athletics lineup faces a tough task today against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert, who enters his sixth start with a 1-3 record and a 4.03 ERA. Gilbert is a major reason Seattle has one of the best starting rotations in baseball, as hecan be tough to hit when he’s in rhythm. A’s hitters, especially Jacob Wilson and Max Muncy, must be patient at the plate and avoid chasing pitches from Gilbert that are not strikes. The Mariners’ bullpen has not pitched well this series, so the sooner the A’s chase Gilbert, the better their chances are of winning.
Seattle is likewise rolling out a mostly regular lineup for today’s matinee matchup. Civale must be careful when pitching to catcher Cal Raleigh, who has homered in each of the first two games of the series, matching Langeliers. Raleigh is not the only threat, with teammates Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor also poised to do damage at the plate.
Time to leave the Pacific Northwest with a sweep before heading to Texas to take on the Rangers. Let’s go A’s!
Apr 22, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) celebrates with Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Brady Williams (4) after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Rays were looking to wrap up their home series against the Reds by avoiding the series sweep. To get there, they had Nick Martinez on the mound up against Brandon Williamson for the Reds. This sets up the delightful situation where we will see Williamson vs Williamson at-bats.
TJ Friedl kicked off the first inning with a leadoff single. With one out, Elly De La Cruz hit into a force out, eliminating Friedl, and then on the next batter, Martinez got out of the inning with no damage done. The Rays went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Martinez had a nice follow-up inning, getting the Reds out in order in the top half of the inning. Ryan Vilade took a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning, then Jonny DeLuca walked right behind him. With two men on, Ben Williamson won the first Williamson vs Williamson challenge, hitting an RBI single to bring Vilade home. Chandler Simpson hit a sac fly, bringing in DeLuca, with a little help from a throwing error by Will Benson. Nick Fortes got a free bag after being hit by a pitch. Taylor Walls then hit into a force out, eliminating Fortes at second but advancing Williamson to third. Yandy Diaz then singled, bringing in the third run of the inning.
The Reds once again went 1-2-3 in the third. Perhaps they shouldn’t have used up so many runs earlier in the series? Not that we’re complaining of course. In the home half, Junior Caminero wasted no time extending the lead, getting a leadoff solo home run.
Ryan Vilade singled, and then appeared to get caught in a double play off the bat of Johnny DeLuca, but the Rays called for a review of the whole play. The out call at second was upheld, but it was clear almost immediately that DeLuca was safe at first, and the out call there was overturned. Unfortunately, Williamson then hit into another double play, and that did end the inning.
Matt McLain started the fourth inning with a single, but it was the only fumble from Martinez in the inning as he got the next three outs in order. Simpson started the bottom of the inning with a single, but the double plays kept coming as Nick Fortes eliminated the baserunner. A third out followed to end the inning with no scoring on either side.
Nathaniel Lowe singled in the fifth, followed quickly by a double from Spencer Steer, putting two men in scoring position and no outs. Will Benson then walked to load the bases and bring the potential tying run to the plate. Not a good place for Martinez and the Rays to be in. P.J. Higgins hit a sac fly to bring in the first Reds’ run of the game. Friedl reached on a fielder’s choice, but the Rays were able to get the runner out at home, and then collect the final out to end the inning. It was a bad situation that could have been much worse, so giving up only one run was a pretty decent way for it to end. Still, not the best inning we’ve seen from Martinez this game.
Yandy Diaz singled to start the home half, and Williamson moved to cover first, but the ball got past him, then Yandy had to do a quick turnaround to get back to first, which he had overrun. He slipped and fell on his butt on the bag. It was pretty delightful. Jonathan Aranda walked. With one out, Vilade singled, bringing Diaz home and getting back the run from the top of the inning. This also chased Williamson from the game, replacing him with Connor Phillips. Phillips faced only one batter, inducing a double play to end the game.
With one out in the top of the sixth, Sal Stewart singled into left. Lots of broken bats in this game, too. Shards of wood everywhere. A piece of Stewart’s bat actually almost hit Eugenio Suarez in the on-deck circle, yikes. Two outs followed the single, sending the Reds back to the bullpen with no runs scored. The Rays didn’t get any further ahead in the bottom of the inning, though Fortes did have a hit that looked like it might go for extra bases, except it was robbed by Friedl in the outfield on a really spectacular catch.
Chandler Simpson returned the favor to Spencer Steer to start the seventh, snagging a fly ball at the wall. Immediately after that, Simpson made another incredible grab. Man, he’s fun to watch out there. A swinging strikeout ended the inning. Walls singled to start the home half of the seventh. Diaz then singled, getting Walls all the way to third. Aranda was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Junior Caminero then grounded out, scoring another runner in Walls and two runners in scoring position. That was it for Phillips, who was replaced by Tony Santillan. A pinch-hitting Richie Palacios reached on a fielder’s choice with Diaz getting tagged out in a rundown between third and home. The Rays ended up having to settle for the one run, but it extended their lead to 6-1.
Nick Martinez was still in heading into the eighth, and he’d really course-corrected nicely from the one bad inning. He was obviously still feeling good, because he got the side out in order. Brock Burke and his 60-grade baseball name was the next reliever out of the pen for the Reds and he got the Rays out in order.
Martinez’s day was over in the ninth, his final line for the day was 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K on 95 pitches. Aside from that one rough inning, it was a spectacular outing for Martinez against his former team. Kevin Kelly came out of the pen to replace him, hoping to get the final 3 outs of the inning cleanly. And he did just that, getting the Reds out in order to wrap things up and keep the sweep at bay.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: Mike Yastrzemski #18 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves defeated the Phillies 4-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While a lot of the regulars for the Braves have started to really get going at the plate, there are still a smal handful of players who are scuffling about while looking to finally get a foothold on this current season of baseball. One of those regulars is Mike Yastrzemski, who has gotten off to a slow start as an outfielder for the Braves so far.
That won’t stop Walt Weiss from providing him opportunities to get going, as the manager has Yaz in there in the lineup as the starting left fielder and batting eighth against right-hander Zack Littell and the Washington Nationals.
Additionally, Mauricio Dubón continues to start at shortstop after starting on Tuesday and getting a day off on Monday against the right-hander Jake Irvin. Jonah Heim is playing catcher for another day as well while Drake Baldwin continues to get ABs as the DH. Right now, the pattern appears to be that if Baldwin catches, Dominic Smith will be the designated hitter and if Baldwin DHs then Jonah Heim will be the starter. We’ll see if that continues once Murphy eventually makes his return in lieu of Heim.
This’ll be Yaz’s first time facing off against Littell and hopefully this’ll be what he needs to start getting into a groove. Meanwhile, Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr. have both homered off of Littell in the past, so hopefully we’ll see a bit more of that later this evening.
